What are rules for Olympic rifle shooting?

Answer 1

As of the 2008 Summer Olympics there are 15 shooting events. Some of these include air pistols, air rifles, pistols, and shot guns. This answer is limited to the three rifle competitions only.

Center fire rifle cartridges (with a primer) are considered more accurate than rim fire cartridges. Rim fire cartridges do not have a primer--instead pyrotechnic compound is distributed in a crimped rim, which ignites the powder when struck by an off center firing pin.

Rifle competition is limited to one 4.5 mm (0.177 in) air rifle competition (generally considered non lethal), and two different 22 caliber rim fire events.

Air rifles are fired in a standing position at 10 meters from the target. The men's competition consists of 60 shots fired within 105 minutes. Women are limited to 40 shots delivered within 75 minutes. A maximum of 10 points is awarded for each shot, depending on the proximity of the shot to the bull's eye.

The top eight scoring contestants then proceed to a second round of ten shots each.

In the prone rifle competition the target is located 50 meters from the shooter, who lays on his stomach, elbows on the ground propping up the rifle. This competition is limited to men only. 60 shots must be fired within 70 minutes.

The three position competition begins with the prone position, proceeding to standing and concluding with the kneeling position. 40 shots are fired at a 50 meter target from each of the three positions, at intervals of 45 minutes for the first 40 shots, 75 minutes for standing, and 60 minutes for kneeling.

The women's competition consists of 20 shots fired from each of the three positions, within only 2 hours and 15 minutes instead of 3 hours.

There are a variety of rules for the equipment. The barrel cannot be perforated, nor may it contain anything other than standard rifling and chambering. Muzzle brakes and compensators are prohibited. Electronic triggers are permitted if the assembly is firmly attached and contained within the rifle's stock or action and is present on initial inspection, provided the trigger does not result in the rifle being over sized or over weight.

Rifles may have open iron sights or peep sights, or any style of sight which does not include a lens. The target cannot be magnified by a telescope, for example, and the total rifle weight cannot exceed 8 kg (17.637 lbs).

Air rifle pellets should be match quality wad cutters--with a flattened top good for cleanly perforating short threaded target paper, as opposed to rounded tops. 22 caliber rimfire ammuntion does not appear to have any specification other than that the bullets are soft metal, such as lead. Sub velocity ammuntion is regarded as more accurate than fast hyper velocity bullets.